get home and not getting tipsy to endure the night. So far, so good. “Did you ever get the silent auction item?” At the look in my eyes, her own widened. “What did I say?”
I took a deep breath and then two big gulps of wine until the glass was empty before I turned to Maxine’s worried gaze. “Turns out the old man had the damn thing delivered the day before they sent us both out there. Penny signed for the delivery at City Hall.”
“No. Way.” She shook her head and took a fortifying sip. “Those old ladies are out of control,” she announced firmly, and then a giggle escaped her lips. “Though it is kind of funny.”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it? I want to be pissed that they screwed up a whole day of work and that their meddling is inconveniencing me, but then, there’s you. The night at Reese’s and the night at the motel—I can’t be mad about those, can I?”
She nodded. “Just because we had a good time doesn’t mean what they did was right,” she said easily, like it was something she’d given some thought to as well, which was kind of comforting. “But arguing the point with them won’t help matters, so I say we let them meddle and keep them in the dark.”
I frowned. “You want to keep us a secret?” I didn’t need to advertise to the whole world that Maxine and I were dating, but I didn’t like secrets.
“From those matchmaking old biddies? Damn right, I do. Imagine how insufferable they’ll be with another feather in their cap.” She shook her head and shuddered. “No, we have to fight fire with fire.”
“By keeping our relationship secret?” I was stuck on that part for some reason.
“First of all, it’s not a relationship yet. And with their meddling, it might never get to be, Derek. I’m not a child and I don’t need people interfering in my love life, no matter how well-intentioned.”
“So, what does that mean? Sneaking around?”
She frowned. “No. It means we hang out, spend time together, and deny we’re anything but friends.”
Okay, that sounded a bit better. “But you won’t be seeing anyone else?”
“No, and neither will you,” she informed me.
“Done,” I answered easily. “In fact, the perfect excuse will be that you’re helping me with the ball. It’s in ten days.”
The look she gave me was filled with heat and irritation. I had a feeling that was about to become my favorite look.
Maxine
“Can I do the other cheese now, Mommy?” The sound of Callie’s voice pulled me from my daydreams, which mostly consisted of replaying key moments from my date with Derek.
I still couldn’t believe it. Derek Cahill, emergency doctor and player extraordinaire, had cooked me dinner. And he’d made pasta. It was a damn good first date—incredible, actually. Probably the best first date I’d ever had. But I was on mommy duty now, which meant my daughter needed my full attention. I took a glance at the cheddar and nodded. “Go ahead and add the mozzarella now.”
She flashed a happy smile, giggling when she dropped the cheese back into the water. “Oops.” On her second try, Callie kept a tight grip and got busy shredding cheese, her favorite way to help out in the kitchen—mostly because she snuck almost as much cheese as she shredded.
“Don’t do it all,” I reminded her and turned to drop the broccoli into the water. We worked in silence for a few minutes and my mind drifted, once again, to Derek. Why couldn’t I get him out of my mind? I shouldn’t still be thinking about him, but I was. And it wasn’t just the man or the date, it was also the good night kiss that he’d given me that made my knees wobble. Even now, I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the pulsing between them.
“Mommy, why are you smiling?”
Her words were just the dousing of ice water I needed to get my mind off Dr. Cahill and back on my kid. My life. “Was I smiling? Maybe I’m just happy we finally get a night alone together.” I flashed a genuine smile which she returned with a giggle.
And a much-too-grown-up roll of her eyes. “Tell the truth.”
I gave her my best shocked mother look and shook my head. “Mothers always tell the truth.”
“Mommy,” she chided and handed me the big bowl of cheese, watching carefully as I mixed in the noodles, cream, and broccoli before shoving the whole